Developer Glenbrook has secured Gateway 2 approval from the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) for its landmark 44-storey residential tower in Manchester, clearing a major regulatory hurdle and paving the way for Domis to commence construction in 2027. The 364-home development on Whitworth Street West, close to Deansgate station, has now secured planning permission, funding and the necessary building safety approval, providing a clear route towards delivering one of the latest additions to Manchester’s rapidly evolving skyline. Designed by architectural practice Sheppard Robson, the scheme will become Glenbrook’s tallest development to date and represents a significant addition to the company’s expanding residential portfolio across Greater Manchester. The project has also received an important financial boost, with Glenbrook securing £17 million from the Greater Manchester Good Growth Fund to address a development viability gap and help bring the scheme forward. The funding support highlights the challenges facing major residential developments, particularly high-rise projects where construction costs, regulatory requirements and financial viability continue to influence delivery programmes. With Gateway 2 approval now secured, the project can progress towards its construction phase, with Domis lined up to deliver the development. The 44-storey tower will provide 364 new homes alongside residential amenity facilities and improvements to the surrounding public realm, contributing to the continued regeneration of Manchester’s southern city centre. Its location close to Deansgate railway station and the Metrolink network places the development within one of Manchester’s best-connected residential and commercial districts, providing convenient access to employment, retail, leisure and hospitality destinations. The scheme will also contribute to the ongoing transformation of the area surrounding Whitworth Street West, where residential development continues to reshape former commercial and underutilised urban sites. Securing Gateway 2 approval represents a particularly important milestone under the Building Safety Act framework, which requires higher-risk residential buildings to receive regulatory approval before relevant construction work can begin. The process involves detailed scrutiny of building designs and safety arrangements, placing greater responsibility on developers, contractors and design teams to demonstrate compliance before progressing to the construction stage. Daniel Roberts, Development Director at Glenbrook, welcomed the approval and emphasised the importance of building safety throughout the project. “Health and safety is of paramount importance to Glenbrook and securing Gateway 2 approval represents a crucial milestone for Whitworth Street West, our tallest building to date,” he said. “The approval reflects the significant work undertaken by our team and project partners to progress the scheme through the BSR’s rigorous approvals process.” Roberts added that the milestone provides the confidence needed to advance the development towards construction. “We can now move into the next phase of delivery as we work towards bringing this landmark development forward and making a start on site in 2027.” The Whitworth Street West project will further strengthen Glenbrook’s presence in Greater Manchester, where its residential portfolio already includes Vox, Trilogy, High Definition, Duet and Lumina Village. The developer has established a growing track record of delivering residential schemes across the region, contributing to the expansion of Manchester’s urban housing market and the creation of new city centre neighbourhoods. For Domis, the anticipated construction appointment would represent another substantial high-rise residential project in Manchester, with the 44-storey building adding to the pipeline of major developments planned across the city. The project also reflects the continued importance of public and private sector collaboration in unlocking residential investment, with the £17 million Good Growth Fund contribution helping overcome financial barriers that might otherwise delay delivery. With the key regulatory and financial requirements now in place, attention will turn towards construction mobilisation and the planned 2027 start on site. Once delivered, the development will provide 364 additional homes within central Manchester, reinforcing the city’s ongoing residential growth and adding a prominent new landmark to its skyline. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A major milestone has been reached at Coventry’s transformational City Centre South regeneration project developed by The Hill Group, with the first tower now rising from the ground following the completion of demolition and extensive groundworks across the site. Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, Councillor George Duggins, Leader of Coventry Council and Councillor Lynnette Kelly, Coventry City Council’s Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change, joined Andy Hill OBE, Founder and Chief Executive of The Hill Group, and Regional Director, Stuart Bale, alongside Paul Loader, Director of Delivery & Aftercare at Legal & General, to celebrate the progress being made. The start of construction marks a significant step forward for one of the UK’s most ambitious city centre regeneration projects, paving the way for the transformation of Coventry city centre over the coming years.  Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “City Centre South is exactly the sort of ambitious regeneration project that will help drive growth, create jobs and deliver the homes our region needs. Seeing the tower rise is a clear sign that progress is being made and this long-awaited development is becoming a reality. “Importantly, this first building includes 200 affordable homes, making it easier to get good quality housing right in the middle of Coventry. And with the skills hub recently opened on site, we are helping to train and offer job opportunities to local people too.” Under an agreement with Legal & General, Hill is delivering the affordable homes in this first phase of the regeneration, comprising 145 homes for social rent and 55 for Shared Ownership.  These new homes will help to address local housing need while providing high-quality homes for people and families in Coventry. Andy Hill OBE, Founder and Group Chief Executive of The Hill Group, said: “Seeing the first tower emerge from the ground is an incredibly exciting moment for everyone involved in the project at City Centre South. After years of planning, preparation, and with demolition and groundworks now complete, local people can now start to see tangible progress being made on site and the vision for this part of Coventry becoming a reality.” The milestone follows significant demolition works, enabling and infrastructure works across the site, allowing construction of the first residential building to progress at pace. Paul Loader, Director of Delivery & Aftercare at Legal & General, said: “This is an important milestone for us and a visible sign of the progress being made. Through our partnership with Hill, we’re proud to be delivering the first 200 affordable homes here, helping more people access high-quality housing while supporting the wider regeneration of Coventry city centre. Through our role in delivering these affordable homes, we are pleased to support a partnership that is focused on meeting local housing need, contributing to affordable housing targets and bringing forward energy-efficient homes that will benefit Coventry for the long term.” City Centre South is transforming a large section of Coventry city centre, delivering up to 1,575 new homes, alongside vibrant public spaces, shops, restaurants, cafés and commercial opportunities. The first phase of the regeneration will provide 991 new homes, 8,000 square metres of commercial space and 17,000 square metres of public open space. As construction accelerates, the development is also creating employment and training opportunities for local people through a range of initiatives including The Skills Centre, which was recently launched to help local residents gain the qualifications needed to access careers in construction. Councillor Lynnette Kelly, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change at Coventry City Council, said: “This is a landmark moment for Coventry. Over the last few months the City Centre South site has been transformed, and people can see it taking shape before their eyes. This development will bring lasting benefits for generations to come. And of course, it will also enable us to make some improvements to the market, which we know is really important to local people and the traders.” Naeem Akhtar, cabinet member for housing and communities, said, “The first tower rising from the ground represents much more than construction progress; it marks the delivery of much-needed affordable homes for local people, demonstrating our commitment to creating a city centre where people from all backgrounds can live, work and thrive.” For further information, visit City Centre South. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

McLaren Construction has secured a major building safety milestone for the £229 million second phase of Westminster City Council’s Ebury Bridge Estate regeneration, paving the way for construction to progress on 334 new homes in the heart of London. The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has granted Gateway 2 approval across four separate applications covering five residential buildings, providing the regulatory clearance required for the next stage of the ambitious redevelopment. The approval represents a significant breakthrough for one of Westminster’s largest council-led housing regeneration programmes, which will ultimately transform the former 1930s estate into a modern, mixed-tenure residential neighbourhood. Phase two is the largest of three planned development stages and follows the successful completion of the first phase, as Westminster City Council continues its programme to increase housing supply and address the growing demand for affordable homes across the borough. The wider Ebury Bridge Estate masterplan will deliver 781 new homes, supported by a network of interconnected public squares, a new retail parade and community facilities designed to create a more attractive and accessible neighbourhood. The regeneration aims to establish a high-quality residential environment, combining new housing with improved public spaces and amenities while strengthening connections across the surrounding area. Securing Gateway 2 approval has required months of detailed technical coordination between Westminster City Council, McLaren Construction and the wider project consultancy team. Under the Building Safety Act regulatory framework, Gateway 2 approval is a critical requirement before construction work can commence on higher-risk residential buildings. The process requires developers and contractors to demonstrate that proposed designs and construction arrangements meet the necessary building safety requirements. For the Ebury Bridge development, the complexity of the five-building phase meant that four separate applications were required, each involving detailed design information and supporting documentation. Paul Woodhams, Managing Director for Regeneration at McLaren Construction, highlighted the scale of the achievement. “This is a complex project with five buildings which required four separate building safety applications and approvals,” he said. The milestone provides greater certainty for the construction programme and enables the project team to move forward with the next stage of delivery. Councillor David Harvey, Westminster City Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, welcomed the decision and acknowledged the importance of collaboration between the local authority and its construction partner. “Collaboration with our main contractor McLaren has been key to achieving this milestone and it now gives the team the certainty needed to move ahead,” he said. He added: “I’m excited that this has been achieved and we can continue the momentum in delivering the largest council development in this part of Westminster in over 60 years.” The Ebury Bridge programme forms part of Westminster’s wider commitment to delivering new housing through the regeneration of existing estates, with an emphasis on creating mixed-tenure communities supported by improved local infrastructure. Alongside the residential accommodation, the planned retail and community facilities will play an important role in establishing a more active neighbourhood, while the interconnected public squares will provide additional outdoor space for residents and visitors. For McLaren Construction, securing the approvals represents an important achievement in navigating the increasingly demanding regulatory environment surrounding higher-risk residential developments. With Gateway 2 clearance now secured, the £229 million second phase can progress towards major construction activity, marking another significant step in the transformation of Ebury Bridge into a new residential neighbourhood for Westminster. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Independent housebuilder Dandara has officially begun construction at its new development in Whitehouse, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. The Muse will deliver 191 homes to form part of the wider Milton Keynes Western Expansion Area (WEA). The WEA is a significant development project led by Milton Keynes City Council, designed to sustainably deliver more than 4,300 homes, provide new amenities and increase the city’s population. As part of this, Dandara has started constructing a mix of two-, three-, four- and five- bedroom homes, including 58 properties for open market sale, 58 affordable units and 75 single-family rental homes. The affordable homes will be delivered in partnership with Cross Keys Homes, a not-for-profit charitable Community Benefit Society, providing social housing and shared ownership properties. Alongside the new homes, Dandara will contribute more than £7 million through Section 106 contributions, supporting investment in local healthcare, education and transport infrastructure. Dandara’s expansion at Whitehouse follows the delivery of 218 homes in December 2025, which included 59 properties for open market sale, 67 affordable units and 92 single-family rental homes. The first homes at The Muse are expected to launch from plan in November 2026 with the first residents expected to move in by spring 2027. Simon Pendlebury, Managing Director at Dandara Northern Home Counties, said: “Starting construction works at The Muse reflects our confidence in Milton Keynes as one of the fastest growing and most desirable places to live in the Home Counties. The Muse will provide a mix of private sale, affordable and rental homes, indicating the diverse housing needs of the city and supporting its ongoing growth. Given the prime minister’s recent announcement regarding the introduction of a ‘Your First Home’ scheme, we expect the affordable properties to be in high demand amongst first time buyers.” “With our established presence in the area through our Manor Park, Meadow View and The Acres developments, we play a key role in delivering new homes and creating thriving communities across the region. We look forward to welcoming the first residents next year.” All homes at The Muse will be built in line with Part L Building Regulations, delivering a 31% reduction in carbon emissions compared with previous standards. Homes will include EV charging points as standard, as well as air source heat pumps to help reduce environmental impact and lower energy bills for residents. Whitehouse is one of the most sought-after areas in Milton Keynes, with a distinct character of its own, just 10 minutes by car from the city centre. The Whitehouse regeneration will bring a secondary school, three primary schools, and health, sports and leisure facilities to the area. Dandara continues to expand its presence across the Northern Home Counties, with new homes currently being delivered across Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire, including The Acres, Meadow View, Anglo Gate and Manor Park developments. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The latest phase of the Grand Union regeneration in Brent will deliver 505 new homes, establishing an active edge to the masterplan’s new central park Berkeley and architects Sheppard Robson have secured planning for the next phase (4C) of Grand Union, a mixed-use development in Brent, northwest London, with Brent Council approving the plans on 26 September. The latest in a series of phases of a masterplan designed by Sheppard Robson, the scheme will deliver 505 private homes across three buildings, completing the north-south green route linking Beresford Avenue to the Linear Park and bringing a new residential edge to life along this central open space. This application follows planning permission being granted earlier this year for 168 Social Rented Homes in phase 4B. This next phase will continue transforming the former Northfields Industrial Estate into a canalside neighbourhood of around 3,350 homes, with commercial, retail, leisure and community spaces woven throughout. Berkeley has been delivering this major placemaking programme since 2019, working in close partnership with Brent Council. Around 1,000 homes completed to date, including 230 social rent and affordable homes, alongside a mix of on-site amenities, including shops, restaurants, a café, nursery, community centre and a network of popular public squares and landscaped spaces.  This regeneration project also stands out for its rapid speed of delivery, with Berkeley purchasing the site in 2017, and completing the first homes by December 2021. That four year timeline is half the time it would take today and a reminder to all of what can be achieved by working in partnership with a shared commitment to deliver housing and meaningful community impact.   Rooted in the site’s industrial past and its closeness to the Grand Union Canal and River Brent, the masterplan reconnects the local area with the waterways on its doorstep, threading public spaces and green landscape through its heart. This latest phase extends that vision, completing the residential frame of the park and bringing green streets from the park deeper into the neighbourhood. The three buildings – L1, L2 and L3 – form a courtyard arrangement with varied heights and forms, reinforcing the north-south connections established in earlier phases. The massing steps up gradually, from the lower, street-facing character along Beresford Avenue to the taller park-fronting building, creating a considered and gentle transition between the surrounding neighbourhood and the open park beyond. The tallest building rises to 29 storeys, shifting from the warm brick tones of its neighbours to a lighter palette of pale and green precast concrete, with vertical detailing that draws the eye upward. At its crown, a distinctive crescent form gives the tower a landmark presence on the skyline – a gesture echoed at ground level in the curved form of the park-front pavilion, tying the architecture back to the landscape. Green metalwork balconies run consistently across all three buildings, lending a sense of belonging and continuity to the trio, with feature metalwork at each entrance reinforcing their shared character across the site. At park level, a flexible amenity pavilion for residents will be established, opening out onto the landscaped green space and designed to foster a sense of connection between residents and the park right outside their homes. Anna Shapiro, Partner at Sheppard Robson, said: “Grand Union is about creating a sense of living with nature, with a range of settings designed to support people’s everyday connection to the landscape around them. This latest phase completes the residential edge of the Linear Park, framing the neighbourhood’s park as the heart of the masterplan. The three buildings carry forward and evolve the architectural language of the earlier phases, while the crescent crown of the tallest building gives the park frontage a landmark quality that feels right for this moment in the neighbourhood’s story.” Marcus Blake, Managing Director at Berkeley, said: “In partnership with the London Borough of Brent, we have transformed this long derelict industrial estate into a thriving community, with high quality homes, green spaces, amenities, and a reconnected canal for all to enjoy. With close to 1,000 homes completed to date, new businesses open and a fantastic community taking shape, we have built something truly special at Grand Union. The next phase will be a natural continuation of that journey and forms part of the vision that we have worked hard with our partners to achieve from the outset. “Grand Union also stands out for its rapid speed of delivery, with our first home completed just four years after we purchased this complex regeneration site. This fast turnaround stems from our partnership approach with the council, which is determined to solve challenges and get homes built. Grand Union proves that our planning system can move at pace with a truly collaborative and proactive approach.” The landscape strategy at Grand Union embeds green infrastructure throughout, with green and brown roofs, biodiverse planting across the courtyard, roof terraces and public realm, and Sustainable Drainage Systems managing surface water across the site. Phase 4C completes the north-south green route from Beresford Avenue to the Linear Park, extending the accessible landscape network that forms the ecological backbone of the Grand Union masterplan. The masterplan includes improved walking and cycling routes linking to Stonebridge Park tube and rail station. Sheppard Robson is also working with Berkeley to deliver phases 2 and 3 of Grand Union. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Vistry, the UK’s leading specialist mixed-tenure housebuilder, has secured planning consent from Oldham Council for 147 new affordable homes on the site of the former Oldham Mumps Railway Station. The Southlink development will transform 3.92 hectares of brownfield land into a new community delivered in partnership with First Choice Homes Oldham. Currently owned by Oldham Council and Transport for Greater Manchester, the site will be acquired by Vistry. It was cleared after the former Oldham Mumps Railway Station was decommissioned in 2009. All 147 homes will be affordable, comprising 125 homes for social rent, 11 for buy to rent and 11 for shared ownership. The scheme will provide 97 apartments and 50 family houses, with a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom homes, including apartments, mews and terraced properties, semi-detached homes and detached houses. Three apartment buildings of three to four storeys will front Oldham Way. The homes will use a red multi-brick palette with grey roof tiles, reflecting Oldham’s character and complementing the nearby Princes Gate development. The consent is subject to planning conditions and legal obligations securing the full affordable housing scheme, biodiversity mitigation and enhancement measures, a 30-year Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan, and £743,607 towards education provision, public open space enhancement and off-site tree planting. The landscape strategy will retain existing trees where appropriate and add approximately 152 new trees, native hedgerows, mixed scrub, species-rich grassland and wildflower meadows. An avenue of lime trees will also be planted along Oldham Way. The site is within walking distance of Oldham town centre and close to Oldham Mumps Metrolink Interchange. New shared walking and cycling routes will connect Glodwick with the interchange, Southlink Business Park and the town centre, while the internal road layout has been designed to prevent through traffic into the Southlink Business Park. Public open space will include informal recreation areas, natural play features, seating and new green links. Matthew Parkes, Managing Director at Vistry Manchester & Cheshire East, said: “This consent is an important step towards bringing a prominent brownfield site back into productive use and delivering 147 high-quality affordable homes for Oldham. Working with First Choice Homes Oldham, we will provide a broad mix of homes and tenures to meet local needs, in a highly accessible location close to the town centre and Metrolink.” Mark Gifford, chief executive at First Choice Homes Oldham said: “The planning greenlight for Southlink is brilliant news. The building of 147 much-needed homes right in the heart of Oldham on a derelict brownfield site has taken a huge step forward. “This new community and its open spaces is an important regeneration project too. It will make a big difference to the town centre. I know the ambition is for it to act as a catalyst for more future developments. “FCHO is committed to building the homes people need, in the locations they want to live. Our partnership at Southlink with Vistry Group is going to deliver on those pledges and we are excited to be part of it. “We have also listened to what type of homes are needed and increased the number of family properties in the development to address that pressing issue here in Oldham. “Next steps over the next few weeks will happen at pace as we look to transfer land ownership and sign remaining contracts. The ambition is to have spades in the ground in November.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Taunton-based Summerfield Homes has completed construction on all 320 new homes on its flagship development at Killams Park in Somerset where it has invested an additional £3.6m in the local community. The end of construction comes after a decade of work across three phases, creating a vibrant community in a range of accommodation as well as extensive green space, meadows, orchards and wildlife corridors. Latest additions to the development include more children’s play equipment and the Killams Park Art and Nature Trail. Each piece of the Art Trail was meticulously designed to represent the wetland, woodland, farmland, and wildlife of the historical location and is approximately a 2.5K walk around Killams Park. As part of the development, Summerfield has delivered 86 affordable and discounted homes. Sixty of these were made available through housing association partners for shared ownership and social or affordable rent. A further 26 were sold through Summerfield’s own MyHome scheme at 30% below market value, helping eligible local buyers achieve home ownership without paying rent on the discounted share. Summerfield worked closely with Somerset Council to fulfil the S106 planning commitments attached to consent for the development. The £3.66m investment included £2.25m towards education, £414,112 for footpaths and cycle routes, £501,550 for community halls and facilities, £459,732 for green spaces and parks and £36,914 for public art and the nature trail. The wider 22-hectare development includes around eight hectares of open space, with more than 1,000 new trees, wildflower meadows and grass areas, an orchard, children’s play areas and an enhanced wildlife corridor along the Blackbrook stream. New and improved walking and cycling routes connect residents with Taunton and the surrounding countryside. All the homes are built with energy savings and a greener future in mind. Key features include double-glazing, insulation on doors, low-energy lighting, counterflow heat exchangers, EV charging points, gardens and bee and bat boxes. James Holyday, Group Managing Director of Summerfield, said: “Completing construction at Killams Park is a significant milestone for Summerfield and for everyone who has helped bring this major development to life over the past decade. “Working alongside Somerset Council, Abri Homes, Sovereign, Magna Housing and other partners, we have created a varied and welcoming neighbourhood; investing in affordable housing, education, community facilities, green space and sustainable travel that will benefit the area for generations. “We are extremely proud of what has been achieved and grateful to our residents, partners, consultants, contractors and the local community for their support throughout the development”. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

New brand, Everway Homes, sits within the Salboy Group Salboy, the nationwide property development and funding group, has entered the build-to-rent (BTR) market for the first time with the launch of its dedicated BTR brand, Everway Homes.  Over the next five years, Everway Homes will develop and rent 2,000 brand-new, low-rise homes, targeting young professionals and families in high-demand areas across England and Wales. 1,000 homes are already in the pipeline for development. Salboy aims to hand over the keys to its first Everway tenants by January 2027, with 2,000 homes completed by the end of 2031. The new homes will be built by Salboy’s network of experienced regional delivery partners, as well as by its own low-rise building arm, Salboy Construction. Management lettings and maintenance will be managed by the Salboy team.  Everway is spearheaded by Andrew Cavanagh, CFO at Salboy since 2019: “The fall in construction starts in the BTR sector this year has been staggering to watch, and highlights the grim realities facing regional developers and contractors striving to keep their BTR schemes viable. From the cost of labour and supplies to regulatory uncertainty and planning delays, the outlook for BTR developers has been increasingly poor. And, yet, the urgent, pressing need for high-quality rental property remains unchanged.  While the dynamics and statistics will encourage others to steer clear of the market, this is the right time for Salboy to enter BTR. For years we have honed our strategy to bring economies of scale to development projects across the UK by working in partnership with a wider network of regional development and delivery partners. And we are confident in our ability to bring the same positive, collaborative approach to BTR now.  With Everway, we’re looking forward to working closely with regional contractors who are motivated to get more homes built in their local areas. These regional contractors will benefit from the reduced costs of labour, materials and energy that come with delivering projects as part of a wider group, and their communities stand to benefit as a result.” Everway is a natural next step in Salboy’s strategy to diversify its involvement in and contribution to the UK homebuilding industry. The launch of Everway follows the launch of Salboy Construction in February 2026 to deliver small-scale housing schemes throughout the UK, as well as the launch of Hidden, Salboy’s boutique aparthotel brand, in April 2026. The Salboy Group now counts more than seven active property and construction brands under its wider umbrella.  Daisyfields in Staffordshire – the first Everway Homes project Construction began this summer at Daisyfields, Everway Homes’s first scheme, a 37-home development in Staffordshire. Positioned as a convenient commuter development, Daisyfields is a 25-minute drive from Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford, and 45-minutes to Derby. In addition to its proximity to major cities and cross-country rail links, tenants of Daisyfields will benefit from professionally managed, energy efficient, pet-friendly homes as well as attractive, spacious landscaping.  Additional Everway Homes schemes in the pipeline include sites in Kent, Greater Manchester, Lincolnshire and Cornwall. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

YTL Developments has unveiled two major investments in Build-to-Rent (BTR) homes as it continues to accelerate the speed of delivery at Brabazon: the new town for the West of England being built on the historic former Filton Airfield. Construction is now underway on the first major Build to Rent project at Brabazon. Three residential buildings will deliver 239 new homes, including 189 Build to Rent apartments, seven Build to Rent houses and 43 affordable properties for shared ownership. In addition, a design team has now been appointed to develop plans for a second Build to Rent project at Brabazon. HTA Design has been appointed as architects with a brief to deliver a further 900 properties for rent in the urban heart of Brabazon, close to where the 20,000-capacity Aviva Arena is under construction. Both BTR projects are located less than 250 metres from the new Bristol Brabazon rail station, which is expected to open before the end of 2026. YTL Developments is also currently delivering a range of 2, 3 and 4 bedroom houses for open-market sale, while the first phase of its 1,514-bed purpose-built student accommodation project – known as The Propeller Quarter – has opened for the current academic year. 239 new homes to be built in first project Designed to meet demand for high-quality rental accommodation in Bristol and South Gloucestershire, the homes for rent in the first project, to be built by YTL Construction UK, will offer a mix of studio, one and two-bedroom apartments and houses. Residents will also benefit from landscaped communal podium gardens, creating a private outdoor space at the heart of the neighbourhood. The start of construction marks the next stage of YTL Development’s commitment to rental living.  As an important part of the wider masterplan for Brabazon, the broad range of homes of differing sizes and tenures is designed to appeal to residents at different stages of life – allowing people to rent, own or move within the community as their circumstances change, whilst also building a multi-generational, vibrant place to live and work.  900 High-Amenity BTR apartments in design The second BTR project at Brabazon has now commenced design development. Featuring up to 900 additional Build to Rent apartments, delivered across a series of future phases, the project will establish Brabazon as both one of the largest but also the most diverse and ambitious mixed-tenure neighbourhoods in the UK. These premium rental properties will include a mix of studio, one, two and three bed luxury apartments.  Residents will be able to access an estimated 21,000 sq ft of shared amenity space with a comprehensive range of facilities centred around lifestyle and wellness, including access to landscaped roof terraces – all designed to create a best-in-class rental experience unlike anything currently available in Bristol and South Gloucestershire. This second stage of rental living will also include retail and commercial space spread across 26,000 sq ft of active frontages at the start of one of the primary pedestrian high streets at the centre of Brabazon.   Seb Loyn, Planning Director at YTL Developments, said: “Starting construction on our first Build to Rent homes represents another important milestone in the delivery of Brabazon. “We have always believed that creating a successful new town means providing homes of all types and sizes to buy and rent at Brabazon to cater to people at every stage of their life. Build to Rent is a key part of that vision, delivering professionally managed homes that offer flexibility, quality and a strong multi-generational community. “This first stage is just the beginning. Over the coming years we will create a substantial rental neighbourhood that forms an integral part of the wider masterplan for Brabazon and reinforces our long-term commitment to Bristol.” Jon McDiarmid, Director at YTL Developments, said: “Build to Rent continues to attract significant interest from both residents and institutional investors because of the quality of homes, customer experience and long-term operational model it provides.  “Brabazon offers a unique opportunity to deliver rental housing at scale within one of the UK’s most exciting regeneration projects. As the new Bristol Brabazon train station, Brabazon Park and Aviva Arena come forward, residents will benefit from an exceptional place to live and work that has been designed from the outset for long-term sustainable growth.” The first Build to Rent apartments are expected to complete by the end of 2028. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Construction is set to begin on a long-awaited Liverpool residential development after Bentry Capital secured Gateway 2 approval for the first phase of its £87 million Abbey Row scheme. The approval clears the way for Bentry Capital’s in-house contractor, Mellior Construction, to begin principal construction works on the 241-home first phase next month. The site has already been cleared and initial subcontract packages have been secured, enabling the project team to move directly into the main construction programme following the regulatory milestone. Formerly known as Islington Quarter, the development was originally brought forward for planning in 2018 but subsequently stalled. Bentry Capital has since reassessed the proposals and progressed the project through the current building safety regulatory framework. The wider Abbey Row development will ultimately deliver 365 apartments across three architecturally distinctive buildings, transforming a prominent site at the gateway to Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter. Phase one will provide 241 new homes, with Block C scheduled to reach completion in 2028 and Block A following in 2029. Securing Gateway 2 represents a particularly important milestone for the project. Under the strengthened building safety regime, higher-risk residential developments must receive approval from the Building Safety Regulator before relevant building work can commence, placing greater emphasis on demonstrating compliance before construction begins. Steven Hughes, Operations Lead at Mellior Construction, said: “Securing Gateway 2 approval represents the culmination of a detailed and collaborative design process and allows us to move into the principal construction phase with the building-safety requirements embedded throughout our delivery strategy.” The development is also entering construction with significant sales momentum, with more than 70% of homes within the first phase already pre-sold. David Ronson, National Sales and Marketing Director at Bentry Capital, said the developer had acquired the site with a clear belief in both its potential and Liverpool’s long-term strength. He added that the team had focused on reassessing the scheme, navigating the current regulatory environment and creating a development that is both deliverable and relevant to the city today. With Mellior Construction now preparing to mobilise for the principal works, Abbey Row will bring a previously stalled development back into active construction while delivering a substantial addition to Liverpool’s residential pipeline. The £87 million investment will also contribute to the continued regeneration around the Knowledge Quarter, an important part of Liverpool’s wider growth strategy encompassing residential development, education, science, innovation and employment. After several years in the planning and development process, Gateway 2 approval marks a decisive step forward for Abbey Row, with work now set to turn the long-standing proposals into 365 new city homes. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals